Namhansanseong Fortress: Located on Mt. Namhan in Gyeonggi Province, this 12-kilometer-long earthen fortress was originally built 2,000 years ago and reconstructed in 1621. With lots of hiking trails in the area, it's a popular place for day excursions. ​Seonjeongneung: This UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises royal tombs of Joseon's ninth King Seongjong, his queen Jeonghyeon and son, King Jungjon. Located in Gangnam, Seoul, the tombs are open to visitors daily (excluding Mondays) for less than $1. Gobungun, Changyeong: These ancient tombs date to the 5th and 6th centuries. There are approximately 180 tombs in this area in South Gyeongsang Province that are close to main roads and easy to access. ​Anapji Pond: Built in the year 674 during the Silla Dynasty, this beautiful circular pond in North Gyeongsang Province was originally constructed inside a fortress that was later destroyed. Changgyeonggung: Built in 1483 by King Sejong, Changyeonggung was ​typically used as the residential palace for queens and concubines of the Joseon Dynasty.  Admission tickets can also be used at Seoul's four palaces, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, as well as the Jongmyo shrine. Inwangsan: This 338-meter-high mountain on the outskirts of Seoul offers probably the best view of the city, including the palaces, N Seoul tower and the Blue House, residence of the Korean president. Known for its hiking trails, the mountain has a number of castles that were built to protect the city from foreign invasion. Jongmyo Shrine: Built by the first king of the Joseon Dynasty, Lee Seong Gye, the Jongmyo Shrine in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is where kings came to worship and conduct memorial services. A memorial service that's reenacted the first Sunday of each May incorporates music and dance from five centuries ago. Gochang Dolmen site: Dubbed the Stonehenge of Korea, there are more than 400 dolmen (stone graves built during the prehistoric era) at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. There's a dolmen museum on site. Wanggungri: The five-story pagoda at Wanggungri in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, is an iconic example of the refined architecture of the Baekje Period (18 BCE-660 CE). ​Seoul Seonggwak Fortress Wall: The 18.2-kilometer-long stone wall here was erected in Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty to protect the capital. A scenic walking tour goes past many points of interest, including Dongdaemun (home of late-night trendy shopping centers) and Naksan Mountain, and ends at Ehwajang, where Korea's first president, Syngman Rhee, once lived. Gangneung Anbandeok-gil: Thanks to its close proximity to Seoul (approximately three hours by express bus), Gangneung in Gangwon Province is one of the most popular year-round destinations in the country for domestic tourists. The city is known for its mountains and beaches, a Confucian school, museums and more. ​Upo Wetlands: The Upo Wetlands are home to more than 1,000 species and span 5,550 square kilometers. The wetlands have been protected since 1998. It's best to visit in the morning or early evening to catch the prettiest views of rain, fog and fireflies. Hapcheon daraknon: The terraced rice paddy fields of Hapcheon in South Gyeongsang Province are a wonderful sight. Thin and long terraced rice paddies like these are called "daraknon," a North Korean term still used in the South. ​Buseoksa: The 108 steps between Cheonwang gate and Anyang gate at Buseoksa Temple represent the number of cycles it takes for redemption from agony and evil. Built in 676 during the Silla Dynasty, Buseoksa Temple in North Gyeongsang Province is the oldest wooden building still standing in Korea. The temple's bell is rung 33 times every evening at 6 p.m. Geumsan Boriam Temple: Pray at Geumsan Boriam Temple and your prayers will be answered -- so locals say, anyway. Located in North Gyeongsang Province, the temple offers a program for visitors to spend the night. Dolsan Bridge: The longest cable-stayed bridge in Korea has become a local tourist attraction in itself due to the dramatic way it's lit up at night. Located in South Jeolla Province, the bridge is perfect for evening walks. Andong Hahoe Village: Korea's most iconic folk village in North Gyeongsang Province has long been a birthplace for scholars and nobles of the Ryu family. Even Queen Elizabeth paid a visit in 1999. Visitors can sleep in a traditional Korean house and experience how Korean nobles lived for hundreds of years. ​Ojakgyo: Meaning "crow and magpie bridge," Ojakgyo in North Jeolla Province is the setting for Korea's most famous love story, in which a couple is forced to live on either side of the Milky Way, only to be reunited when magpies form a bridge. Gwangalli: Along with Haeundae, Gwangalli is one of Busan's iconic beaches. The Gwangan Bridge, Korea's longest suspension bridge, presents one of Busan's hallmark photo ops. Samhwasa: Poets and painters have sought out Samhwasa Temple in Gangwon Province for centuries for its incredible scenery. The west peak of Dutasan Mountain, where the temple is located, is said to look like a phoenix and a crane, while the east peak has the shape of a tiger and a dragon. Hamdeok: ​Hamdeok is a small seaside village located 30 minutes east of Jeju Airport. Beautiful fields of rapeseed flowers cover the landscape in summer, but play second fiddle to Hamdeok's sapphire beach, a popular kayaking destination with calm waters. ​Hyeupjae Beach: Ask a Korean travel writer which beach is the most beautiful in the country and probably 10 times out of 10, the response will be Hyeupjae Beach. Marado: This island in Seogwipo-si is relatively difficult to reach -- a ferry leaves only a handful of times each day from the south coast, at Moseulpo Harbor. Sehwa-ri: Seagulls flock to this small white beach on Jeju Island, especially in winter. ​"The road from Sehwa-ri to Seongsaneup, home of fabulous sunsets, is beloved by the locals for its pretty scenery," says photographer Kim Bong-sun. Songaksan: ​Known for its 99 peaks, this Jeju volcanic mountain has a crater spanning 500 meters in diameter. It takes only an hour to walk to the highest peak, which is 104 meters above sea level. Udo: Another satellite island off Jeju, Udo has a wicked black pork barbecue that's worth the journey. The island is a 15-minute boat ride from Seongsan Harbor, about an hour's drive from Jeju Airport. Yongduam: Yongduam, meaning "dragon head rock," is a must-visit spot for Jeju Island tourists. Rough weather makes for dramatic shots of waves crashing against the rock. Yeongam: Yeongam in South Jeolla Province is a pleasant, leisurely place to visit. Local attractions include temples, ancient tombs and traditional estates. Miryang Maneosa: The thousands of floatstones around this ancient temple in South Gyeongsang Province are supposedly fishes that were turned into stone. Wishing on the rock is said to grant sons to women who were unable to conceive them before. Seongsan Ilchungbong: South Korea's most famous "sunrise peak" is a 5,000-year-old volcanic crater in Jeju-si. A UNESCO World Heritage Site with views like this every morning, it's a magnet for photographers from all over the country. Halla Mountain: The highest mountain in South Korea is also Jeju Island's most iconic landmark and home to approximately 4,000 different animal species. The hiking trails are exquisitely developed, but the fickle weather can be daunting and hiking is allowed only during the day. Editor’s Note: “Nomad with Carlton McCoy” airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT only on CNN. Hydrovolcanic eruptions formed this majestic volcanic crater 5,000 years ago on Jeju Island. A UNESCO world heritage site, the peak is famous for many things, including numerous rare plant species, but is best known for the magnificent sight of the sun rising over it (hence the name). Located four kilometers southwest from Anmyeon-eup, this cream-colored beach is the ideal place to go for a drive and watch the sun sink into the ocean between two large rock formations known as the Granny Rock and the Grandpa Rock. Legend has it that the wife of a base commanding officer in the Shilla Dynasty became the Granny Rock when she died after waiting faithfully for her husband. Darangee Village, a small well-preserved village in the southernmost area of west Namhae-gun, features an extraordinary sight of countless tiny fields (over 100 levels) on a steep mountain slope against the open sea. Gwang-An Bridge is not for pedestrians, but anyone can enjoy the spectacular night view of the bridge from afar; its state-of-the-art lighting system allows an exterior lighting of over 100,000 colors. At 2,314 kilometers squared, Upo Marsh is the largest inland wetland in Korea and three times the size of Yeouido. Formed over 140 million years ago, the marsh is home to 1,500 plants and animals, some of which are endangered species. This treasure island (artifacts from the Song Dynasty have actually been found at the bottom of the sea) is famous for its clear seawater, soft beach, and salt farms. Uleung Island, nicknamed “Mysterious Island,” is a popular weekend getaway spot for Seoulites. Curious rock formations, shore cliffs and numerous waterfalls adorn the island’s Seaside Road. Anyone planning to walk or bike their way around Uleung Island should make sure they set aside enough time, as they will inevitably stop countless times to admire the glorious view. First-time visitors to Jeju Island need to plan their trip wisely, as the Jeju bucket list is long and varied. One of the musts on the list is Seopjikoji, a promontory on the coast famous for its serenity and romance. Yellow rape blossoms fill the field in the spring, creating a colorful contrast with the red soil and cerulean sky. The scenery of Seopjikoji has also been captured by several Korean films and dramas, including “All In,” one of the first Hallyu dramas starring Lee Byung-hun and Song Hye-kyo. Bomun Pavilion, a small wooden gazebo standing over a quiet duck pond, is a great spot to experience Korea’s spring; the cherry blossoms fluttering over the pond provide an exquisite sight. In fact, it’s the perfect place to view all of Korea’s markedly different seasons: summer’s lush green leaves, fall’s scarlet and mustard foliage, and winter’s blankets of snow. Visitors can hike on Olle road, or opt for a scooter ride along the shore, a submarine excursion or sea fishing. Just don’t forget the sunblock. The world’s oldest intact Buddhist canon, the Tripitaka Koreana, is carefully housed in the 1,200-year-old Haeinsa Temple. The national park on Jiri Mountain stretches over five cities and three provinces, and is home to quietly dazzling flora and fauna as well as seven national treasures and 26 treasures. Many tread the trail to Chunwang Peak to watch the sun rise, some simply to enjoy the view from the top, and others for the pleasure of breathing in the crisp, clean mountain air and drinking the brain freeze-inducing spring water of Chunwang Spring, which is located just 300 meters below Chunwang Peak. Straw-roofed houses, government offices, guesthouses and a castle, all from the Chosun Dynasty, remain perfectly preserved in their original forms in this 22 square kilometer historical site. The fifth item on this list already touched on the festival of cherry blossoms in Jinhae, but the cherry blossom road at Yeojwa Stream is so strikingly beautiful that it deserves another mention (and another photo). Lovers visit this site to cross the Romance Bridge, which has been used as a shooting location for “Romance,” a drama starring Kim Ha-nul and Kim Jae-won. Bloggers say that these romantic blossoms can be most appreciated at night, when there are fewer tourists and the pale pink flowers glow against the dark sky. Almost half of Korea's green tea is produced here. Approximately 40% of Korea’s tea is produced in the rolling fields of Boseong, which has also provided the backdrop of many Korean dramas and films. This only sheep ranch in Korea doubles as a natural sledge park in winter. The dreaminess of the view is as heady as the mountain air. Meat-lovers should stop by the restaurants in the ranch village for a taste of the highest grade lamb. As the biggest bull fighting festival in South Korea, Cheongdo Bull Fighting Festival attracts around half a million people every year. In addition to the big matches of 130 fighting bulls, there are art contests, cow-play exorcisms, rodeo experiences, and even magic shows to entertain the crowd. While in some sense the entire province is bordered by beaches (if not cliffs), the two model beaches are Hyeopjae Beach and Jungmun Beach. This man-made pond was created during the Shilla Dynasty approximately 1,500 years ago. Kwanghan Pavilion is the setting of Chunhyangjeon, one of Korea’s most famous folk tales. Chunhyang, the young, beautiful daughter of a gisaeng (Korean geisha), and Mongryong, the handsome son of the local governor, first met and fell in love in this beautifully designed pavilion, which was designated a treasure in 1963. For a small country road, Cheongsando marks a lot of “firsts” – it is the world’s first “Slow Road” in Asia’s first “Slow City.” It doesn’t take long to realize why it is called “Slow Road” – one’s pace naturally slackens to fall in with the pace of the rest of the island. Rape blossoms (in spring) and Mexican Asters (in fall) in full bloom are bordered by simple stone walls. The highest mountain in South Korea is also Jeju Island's most iconic landmark. This fairy-tale sight of snowflakes and icicles covering tree branches on Halla Mountain were the inspiration for the Halla Snow Festival that was held late January/early February every year. This small village at the foot of Jiri Mountain displays a curious sight of terraced rice paddies. In spring the water in the paddies reflects the sky, while in fall the paddies glow with golden grains. This artistic park located in Paju embodies South Koreans’ yearning and longing for peace in the Korean Peninsula. Yes, it’s a rather heavy subject, but even those who couldn’t care less about the death of Kim Jong Il can still enjoy the beauty of this park, which is well-known for its colorful display of pinwheels and the giant bamboo colossi. This mossy waterfall is in a now-restricted area of Jiri Mountain, which means a heavy fine for anyone caught venturing near here. For dedicated cyclists, there’s a 132 kilometer-long cycle path following the river from Damyang to Mokpo. Daedun Mountain is famous for its bright autumn colors and its 81-meter-high Geumgang Suspension Bridge. The beach of Haeundae in South Korea's southern port city of Busan. Hundreds of thousands frequent to this renowned beach every summer, but summer is not the only season you can see some flesh at Haeundae – the Polar Bear Festival is held every January, when contestants leap in the cold ocean screaming and laughing. Originally built in 552, this temple takes its name from a nearby rock that was supposed to have been shaped like a dragon but was destroyed along with most of the temple during the Japanese occupation. According to legend, the last prince of the Shilla Dynasty wept here after glimpsing a view of his hometown. He was on his way to Geumgang Mountain after the fall of the dynasty. Manggyeongsa Temple is situated on Taebaek mountain, at an altitude of 1,460 meters. Gangwon province is famous for catastrophically heavy snows in the winter. Fun fact: Nami Island was not an island until the 1940s, when the Cheongpyeong dam was built. One of the biggest coastal marshes in the world, Suncheon Bay is home to countless plants and marine life and features the biggest field of reeds (5.4 kilometers squared) in Korea. The Suncheon Bay Reed Festival is held every year in October, but the bay is just as beautiful and charming any other month of the year. This six-peaked rocky mountain has five urn-shaped holes at the top and is named “Crying Mountain,” due to legends and ancient records that claim the rocks on the mountain cry just before a big wind is about to blow. Another legend behind the mountain’s name says that a rock was wandering around looking for Geumgangsan but settled in Seoraksan when it couldn’t find it, and became the Ulsan rock. Traditionally, a seop bridge – a temporary bridge fashioned out of logs, mud, and pine branches – was built to let the villagers cross Namdae River from early winter until the summer, when heavy rains would wash the bridge away. The beautiful light tunnel at the Garden of Morning Calm. This beautiful, historical pavilion overlooking Nam River is most famous as the place where Nongae, the concubine of a government official in the Chosun Dynasty, jumped into the river with a Japanese general after the castle of Jinju fell into Japan’s hands. Check out the view from the pavilion on the cliff, but don’t jump; they won’t be telling your story in the same way. Cin Woo Lee is a freelance writer for CNN Travel. Frances Cha also contributed to this report. © 2024 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.  CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.